Airpot lever

Abstract

A lever having an elongate body adapted for selected pivotal attachment to a container which employs a depressable actuator to open and close access to the container interior. One end of the body is connected to the container. The other end is configured for engagement by an operator to effect lever pivot. A projecting finger extends generally normally from the body to engage the depressable actuator upon pivoting of the body, the finger being spaced from the second end of the body to afford improved leverage to the lever operator.

We claim: 
     
       1. A lever for attachment to a container having a pot and a lid, the lid including a depressable actuator which selectively opens access to the pot, the lever comprising: an elongate body including a first body portion which extends generally upwardly from the pot and a second body portion which extends across the lid having first and second ends, the first end being configured for selected pivotal attachment to the fluid container; and   a projecting finger intermediate the first and second ends of the body and extending generally downwardly from the second body portion to engage the actuator upon pivoting the body, the finger being spaced from the second end of the body to afford improved leverage to an operator pressing on the second end of the body.   
     
     
       2. The lever of claim 1, wherein the lever is configured for selected pivotal attachment to a hinge connecting the lid to the pot. 
     
     
       3. The lever of claim 2, wherein the hinge includes a pin, and the body includes one or more tabs configured to receive the pin so as to pivotally attach the lever to the fluid container. 
     
     
       4. The lever of claim 1, wherein the finger is positioned generally centrally along the body. 
     
     
       5. The lever of claim 1, wherein the first body portion is pivotally connected to the second body portion. 
     
     
       6. A lever for attachment to a beverage container having a pot and a lid pivotally attached to the pot via a hinge, the lid defining an upper surface with a actuator which is depressable to effect discharge of a beverage from the pot, the lever comprising: an elongate body having a first body portion configured for selected pivotal attachment to the hinge to extend upwardly from the hinge, and a second body portion which extends angularly from the first body portion and across the upper surface of the lid upon attachment of the first body portion to the hinge; and   a projecting finger extending generally downwardly from the second body portion to selectively engage the actuator upon pivoting the body about the hinge, the finger being positioned along the second body portion to afford improved leverage to an operator pressing on a distal end of the second body portion.   
     
     
       7. The lever of claim 6, wherein the hinge includes a pin, and the first body portion includes one or more tabs configured to receive the pin so as to pivotally attach the lever to the fluid container. 
     
     
       8. The lever of claim 6, wherein the first body portion is pivotally connected to the second body portion to accommodate collapse of the lever. 
     
     
       9. The lever of claim 6, wherein the first body portion is detachably connected to the second body portion via a knuckle joint to accommodate attachment of a substitute second body portion. 
     
     
       10. The lever of claim 6, wherein the finger is positioned generally centrally along the second body portion. 
     
     
       11. A beverage container comprising: a pot defining a cavity configured to hold a beverage;   a lid pivotally attached to the pot via a hinge, the lid defining an upper surface with a actuator which is depressable to effect discharge of the beverage from the pot; and   a removable lever mounted on the hinge, the lever including an elongate body with a first body portion pivotally attached to the hinge and a second body portion extending from the first body portion across the upper surface of the lid, the lever further including a projecting finger extending generally downwardly from the second body portion to engage the actuator upon pivoting the body about the hinge, the finger being positioned along the second body portion to afford improved leverage to an operator pressing on a distal end of the second body portion.   
     
     
       12. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the first body portion is pivotally connected to the second body portion to provide a lever which collapses. 
     
     
       13. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the first body portion is detachably connected to the second body portion via a knuckle joint to provide for selected removal of the second body portion from the first body portion.